I like the idea of the class -- now, if they can streamline the abilities to make sure there are very few to no "quasi-magical" powers in there, I'm set. If Pathfinder can pull off the Cavalier, then WotC can pull off a passable Warlord.

All this means is they wanted people to test playing a class:warlord in Caves of Chaos. I think it's very early days to be drawing lines around "core", or even understanding what available class choices mean in the core.

Actually, vis a vis the Warlord, I have a theory that it isn't the class at all, but like the noble, a roleplaying classlet for those who want more combat leadership options attached to their existing class.

In other words, I'm guessing that the Warlord has become a 4e-style theme. So I'm predicting 5e fighter warlords, but also wizard warlords, cleric warlords, and so forth.

If instead of being a class, it is the character archetype for bossing people around.... would that turn the frowny emoticons upside down for those that don't like the warlord?